JOURNEY TO THE GALAPAGOS

Transcription

1 JOURNEY TO THE GALAPAGOS Dates: From Friday, February 3 rd Sunday, February 12 th, 2017 Duration: 10 days / 9 nights Total Distance: 3,410 nautical miles Highlights: Adventure, Wildlife, Nature! Straddling the Equator in the Pacific Ocean, the Galapagos Islands are home to some of the most fascinating and accessible wildlife anywhere. Cost: $ 9,175 per person (double occupancy) $ 1,850 plane registration fee (includes Cuba overflight permit) Single supplement available upon request Page 1 of 8

2 ITINERARY Day 1 - Friday, February 3: Palm Beach Kingston, Jamaica Cartagena, Colombia NM Air Journey will greet you at Palm Beach International Airport (KPBI) for a briefing about the forthcoming flight. Our flight today will bring us over Cuba before landing in Kingston (Jamaica) to refuel. We ll then continue on to Colombia one of the most ethnically diverse nations in South America for our visit to Cartagena, undeniably one of Latin America s most beautiful cities lost somewhere in time between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries, with the Caribbean sea as a sparkling backdrop. Sir Francis Drake laid siege to the city but the fortress walls and cannons remain, making the area within the old walled city a living museum. There will be time to relax before we enjoy a welldeserved welcome cocktail and dinner. Hotel: Sofitel Santa Clara Welcome Cocktail and Dinner included Day 2 - Saturday, February 4: Cartagena Enjoy a full day tour to experience Cartagena s colonial charm with its tiled roofs, balconies and flower-filled courtyards and relive history in the old walled city, the Ciudad Amarullada, where we ll explore the four sectors, each one with a peculiar story to tell: San Diego, La Matuna, Getsemani and Santo Domingo. A morning walking tour allows us to explore the Old City. After lunch, we ll continue with a city tour to enjoy the highlights of this beautiful city. Hotel: Sofitel Santa Clara Page 2 of 8

3 Day 3 - Sunday, February 5: Cartagena Guayaquil, Ecuador 795 NM After breakfast, transfer to the airport for our flight to Guayaquil, Ecuador. Strategically located in the downtown commercial and banking heart of the city, the Hilton Colon Guayaquil is only a short transfer from the airport. Hotel: Hilton Colon Guayaquil Breakfast and Dinner included Days 4-8- Monday, February 6 Friday, February 10: Pikaia Lodge Pikaia Lodge, a new Small Luxury Hotels of the World property, is situated on Santa Cruz Island, at the center of the Galapagos Islands. In a unique setting on the crater of an extinct volcano, 1,476 above sea level, eco-friendly Pikaia Lodge provides guests with the unique opportunity to explore the fascinating natural heritage of the Galapagos Islands while staying in sheer comfort. The hotel operates daily land and sea tours on their private yacht, has its own giant tortoise reserve as well as a beautiful pool, a gourmet restaurant, a bar and a relaxing spa. Page 3 of 8

4 M/V Pikaia I The M/V Pikaia I is a private 100 oceangoing cruise yacht. It is the only such vessel in the Galapagos, offering a luxurious, safe and relaxing day tour experience. Due to its size, weight and stabilizers, guests can cruise comfortably to nearby islands without feeling seasick, as can happen on smaller, lighter day tour boats. After swimming, kayaking, hiking or snorkeling, guests can relax in their private air conditioned cabins and take a fresh-water shower in their ensuite bathrooms. The yacht boasts large open sun decks, a shadow deck, hot tub and a spacious air conditioned living room, where guests can join presentations and discussions. Our crew prepares delicious breakfast and lunch buffets, wholesome snacks and tropical fruits, while the yacht s barman will serve guests with their favorite drinks, perfect for sipping while watching the sun set. Included during our stay at the Pikaia Lodge/Pikaia I: All Yacht cruises and guided land explorations All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) All bottled water, coffee, hot chocolate or tea, juices, and soft drinks in the Lodge and in the Yachts. Complimentary use of wet suits, snorkeling equipment, kayaks, mountain bikes and helmets. Unlimited use of the pool, sauna, and whirlpool. Internet use and Wi-Fi connection. Books and DVD videos from a selected library for in-room viewing or reading. Conferences and stargazing sessions Days 4 - Monday, February 6: Guayaquil to Baltra, Galapagos Today we will fly commercial airline (ticket not included) to Baltra in the Galapagos. Upon arrival, transfer to the Itabaca Channel. A small ferry will take us across the Channel to the north shore of Santa Cruz Island followed by a scenic trip by private transport to Pikaia Lodge. After lunch there will be a briefing presented on the week s activities including an overview on the natural history of the Galapagos Islands. Enjoy a welcome cocktail at sunset. After dinner, attend a discussion on The evolution of the species with members of the Galapagos scientific community. Hotel: Pikaia Lodge Day 5 Tuesday, February 7: Enjoy a full day program on board the exclusive Pikaia I Yacht After a simple breakfast, we ll transfer to the port for our departure on the Pikaia I yacht. Onboard, private cabins are assigned and a full English breakfast is served. On arrival at today s island, the morning offers hiking, kayaking or snorkeling activities, until early afternoon. A lunch buffet is served while the yacht sails to another island, for an afternoon of hiking, kayaking or snorkeling. Two hours before sunset the yacht sets sail for home. While sailing, guests can rest, shower, or freshen up in their air-conditioned private cabins, soak in the Jacuzzi, watch a Galapagos documentary, join a discussion with guides, sunbathe or watch for dolphins. At the end of the day, return to the hotel for dinner. Hotel: Pikaia Lodge Page 4 of 8

5 Day 6 Wednesday, February 8: Land Exploration For both morning and afternoon programs today, select any Santa Cruz Island guided exploration. Each days exploration options are planned based on satellite weather imagery and tides charts. Programs are designed to visit various beaches, volcanic craters, or lava tunnels; look for giant tortoises and endemic wildlife; visit the Charles Darwin Scientific Research Center at the National Park; or visit organic coffee farms in the highlands to see how settlers live. Activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, catch and release coastal fishing or cycling can also be included. After dinner, stargazing or a scientific conference will be offered. Hotel: Pikaia Lodge Day 7 Thursday, February 9: Enjoy a full day program on board the exclusive Pikaia I Yacht After a simple breakfast, we ll transfer to the port for our departure on the Pikaia I yacht. Onboard, private cabins are assigned and a full English breakfast is served. On arrival at today s island, the morning offers hiking, kayaking or snorkeling activities, until early afternoon. A lunch buffet is served while the yacht sails to another island, for an afternoon of hiking, kayaking or snorkeling. Page 5 of 8

6 Two hours before sunset the yacht sets sail for home. While sailing, guests can rest, shower, or freshen up in their air-conditioned private cabins, soak in the Jacuzzi, watch a Galapagos documentary, join a discussion with guides, sunbathe or watch for dolphins. At the end of the day, return to the hotel for dinner. Hotel: Pikaia Lodge Day 8 - Friday, February 10: Baltra Island to Guayaquil Panama City, Panama 665 NM After breakfast, transfer to the airport to take a commercial flight (ticket not included) back to Guayaquil. Upon arrival, we will retrieve our planes and fly to Panama. Enjoy a scenic approach to Panama City including a beautiful view of the Panama Canal. Hotel: Waldorf Astoria Breakfast and Dinner included Page 6 of 8

7 Day 9 Saturday, February 11: Panama City Our full day sightseeing tour includes a one-hour excursion on the Panama Canal with the opportunity to spot Green Iguana and Three-toed Sloth resting on tree branches, Crocodile, Osprey in the hunt for Peacock Bass, Snail Kite and Keel-billed Toucan among other wildlife. We will then proceed to the Miraflores Lock where you will be able to watch ships entering the lock and discover the new museum where you can test your skills to enter the Lock on a simulator. A buffet lunch will be served at the Miraflores Restaurant providing a great view of the canal. In the afternoon, we will continue with a walking tour to view the historical landmarks of World Heritage-listed Casco Viejo. Hotel: Waldorf Astoria Day 10 - Sunday, February 12: Panama City Grand Cayman Key West, FL NM We will transfer to the airport and fly to Key West to clear US Customs. There will be a technical stop in Grand Cayman to refuel. Breakfast included Landing Points, Identifier and Runway Lengths: Palm Beach KPBI 10,000 Kingston MKJP 8,900 Cartagena SKCG 8,500 Guayaquil SEGU 9,154 Panama City MPMG 5,906 Grand Cayman MWCR 7,021 Key West KEYW 4,801 Page 7 of 8

8 TERMS & CONDITIONS Our land program includes: All accommodations in hotels listed or similar categories based on double occupancy All meals as specified in itinerary All meals at the Pikaia Lodge and aboard the Pikaia I Morning and afternoon tours in the Galapagos as described in the program $110 Galapagos National Park entrance fee Roundtrip transfers between airport and hotel All sightseeing, hotel taxes, gratuities and guide services as in indicated in itinerary A full time Air Journey pilot escort Our land program does not include: Travel Insurance (available, call us for details) Airport departure taxes and landing fees Airline ticket for round-trip flight between Guayaquil Baltra - Guayaquil Beverages Personal expenses such as laundry, room service, communication charges and other incidentals Please note that hotel accommodations and sightseeing are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. Air Journey reserves the right to amend the order of sightseeing as necessary. Every effort will be made to operate tours as planned, but alterations may occur after the final itinerary has been issued. Our quoted prices include planning, handling and operational charges; they are based on current rates of exchange, tariffs and taxes as of March Air Journey reserves the right to increase tour prices to cover increased costs, tariffs and taxes, and to reflect fluctuations in foreign exchange markets. Passports are mandatory for the Journey. Air Journey has quoted this itinerary with a minimum participation of 5 planes. The Registration fee includes: Extensive Navigation log (airports, route, frequencies, information of airspace, nav-aids, reporting points, international flight plan) tailored for each aircraft; Flight plans and eapis manifest (departure and arrival) filed on your behalf; Cuba overflight permit; Pilot briefing prior to each day s flight; Weather website with constant updates showing TAF, METAR, Wind Aloft, prognostic forecast and review; Fuel availability confirmed along the route of flight; 2017 Caribbean Pilot Guide, VFR charts, IFR low or high en route (based on aircraft type and pilot s preferences); Flight bag and collared, cotton shirt for the pilot with his name and aircraft tail number embroidered on the upper front. Shirts are available for passengers and crew at an additional cost. Cancellation, refunds: a) Cancellation by the client: Is always required in writing and is subject to the following schedule of dates, whereby some or all moneys paid will be retained: i) Given outside of 131 days of departure: AJ retains the initial deposit of $1,000 per person ii) Between 131 and 120 days of departure: AJ retains 50% of the tour cost & the registration fee iii) Between 119 and 80 days of departure: AJ retains 75% of the tour cost & the registration fee iv) 79 days or less or No show of departure: AJ retains 100% of the tour cost & the registration fee b) Cancellation by AJ: Should AJ cancel the tour after deposits have been received due to fewer than the minimum participants required, the full deposit will be refunded. Should AJ cancel the tour at any time due to factors beyond their control (including war, flood, force of nature, riot, civil action), they will refund the client whatever portion of moneys are reimbursed by ground operators and accommodation suppliers. Survival equipment is available for rental on a daily basis and will be waiting for you at our departure point. Contact us for details. Life vests are mandatory. A survival raft is recommended. Page 8 of 8